Another dana 60 axle question

[Comet]

I found someone with rear dana 60 and 3.73s (which is what I'm looking for) to trade me for a 4.10 axle I have sitting around from a '78. He said it's from a late 60s Ford truck and has 30 splines. He lives across state and I've asked him to measure the distance between the perches, but my question is did the d60 have 30 splines in the '67-'72s? Maybe a HD upgrade?

[heep70]

No, I do not believe that late of a 60 had 30 spline. I can't remember when they started, but I believe it was in the mid 70s. I have a HD D60 and it is a 16 spline. The only things that made them HD was bigger wheel bearings.

I think he is yanking your strings.

[Comet]

Yeah, that's what I thought. That's why I asked for the perch measurement. My hope is he got his years mixed up and that he can actually count to 30!
Thanks Greg for the quick reply. Somehow I knew it would be you, in fact I almost put Heep in my subject line!

[heep70]

The swap meet will probably have what you want . You are just going to have to move the perches.

[Comet]

I don't mind moving perches.
Swap meet!?! You being a smart a$$? Remember I'm out of town that weekend. Plus, if I can trade my 4.10 for the 3.73 I want, I'm breaking even. But I do have to drive to Yakima
Oh well, hopefully there will still be snow on the ground so I can play a little

[heep70]

I tried.

[Jobless]

It's probably a Dana 61....not a Dana 60

the late 1960 early 1970 Ford Dana 60 rears came either 16 or sometimes 19 spline...never 30 spline

[FORDification]

I've been trying to track down that info as well, as to what years and models had what, but I'm coming up dry. That would definitely be some good info to include on the site. If anyone knows an online resource or has this in a book that they could send and forward on to me, I'll get it posted.

[willowbilly3]

Since I have never knowingly looked at a 61, do they have 61 on the web like a 44, 60 or 70 does? I read once they were just a 60 made for the taller gears and it was rumored the innards would swap with a 60.

[Jobless]

Since I have never knowingly looked at a 61, do they have 61 on the web like a 44, 60 or 70 does? I read once they were just a 60 made for the taller gears and it was rumored the innards would swap with a 60.

Being that there are completely different part numbers for Dana 60 vs Dana 61 R&P's and lockers I would say that the parts are not interchangeable.

Here's some info I found on the internet:

The Dana Models 60 and 61 look the same and have the same shape differential cover. The most noticeable difference is the reinforced cast iron differential in the Dana 61. The best way to be sure of which axle you have is by the Bill of Material Number stamped on the right hand axle tube.

[Comet]

Hey Brad, what makes you think it's a d61? Just curious what might have tipped you off.
BTW, you can run d60 gears, but you need a special ring gear spacer/adapter. They don't make gears for the d61 in low ratios (below 4.56). Not too many people make this part, but it is available

[Comet]

Ok, just to put closure on this, I got the BOM back from the guy and it turned out to be a 16 spline. So, he had the right year, but wrong spline count. Probably never pulled it out until I asked to check the BOM.